Since starting my training last year for the Snowman Trek, I’ve become hyper aware of how exercise, nutrition and diet affect my body and mind.
Most importantly, I’ve come to realize how much control I have over my energy levels, happiness and strength. And I don’t just mean I’ve noticed that eating a veggie burger with cheese and fries will make me tired. I mean I can tell the difference in my energy level in the morning based on whether I had a small bowl of Greek yogurt the night before or opted for (nutrition-less) popcorn.
Since discovering these new revelations–a lot through trial and error–I’ve tried to incorporate them into my travels. I figure why would I spend so much money on a trip only to overeat (or simply not eat properly) and then feel lethargic as a result?
I admit this takes a lot of will-power. When we travel, we let our guard down. We want to sample as much as we can from the destination we’re visiting. We spend a bit more on food than we would at home and we’re usually eating out a lot.
But you don’t have to be at the mercy of the food choices at your destination.
As I prepare to leave for Papua New Guinea (land of pork) this week, I have found myself packing an unusual amount of food. As I’ve written about before, PNG is not a foodie’s destination. But I’m not there for the cuisine so I don’t mind bringing lots of supplemental food with me. My luggage will be filled with protein bars, protein powder and trail mixes. I therefore won’t have to rely on getting my calories from toast and breakfast cereal.
For most people, making wise food choices can be even more simple. It might mean not overeating. Or avoiding foods you avoid at home. I’ve encountered a lot of people who eat sugar, gluten or dairy on a trip but don’t touch it at home. This seems to be a recipe for unhappy travels.
Ultimately, fine tuning your body for happier travels (and a happier life) might be easier than you think. Just bringing an awareness to what you’re consuming might make all the difference between having the energy to get up and enjoy a beautiful sunrise each morning or sleeping in because you feel too lethargic to move after a large dinner that included one too many drinks.
Do you eat well on the road or do you throw caution to the wind?
Travel Well,
Beth
Photo credit:
Protein Bars – Rob Stinnett
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